Tilman Fertitta’s gaming, dining empire is strained,...

1of68Landry’s was handing out free meals to employees from the former Willie G’s restaurant on Post Oak Boulevard on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

2of68Alfredo Gutierrez, left, fills out paperwork as Conner Scott donates plasma at Houston Methodist Hospital on Friday, May 15, 2020 in Houston. Scott, a sophomore at Texas A&M University, has donated his plasma for a Houston Methodist study seven times since recovering from COVID-19 in late March. He researched plasma treatments himself before deciding to contribute. “It’s pretty selfish if I have something that could help people and I’m not doing anything about it,” he said.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

3of68Stephen Olivares, left, talks with Antanique Landry as he disinfects her gym Friday, May 15, 2020, in Houston. Landry, who said she isn't nervous but ready to reopen, is set to open her gym soon. "It's actually a blessing that I was able to transition to virtual," she said of operating during the shutdown. Olivares owns a gym maintenance company, and he said he started providing disinfecting services about a week before the shutdown, after about 80% of his clients asked for them.Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff photographer

9of68Harris County Sheriff’s Honor Guard member deputy Darryl Peaks salutes as he practices for honor ceremony at the funeral service for Harris County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski held at Humble First Assembly of God, 1915 FM 1960, Thursday, May 14, 2020, in Humble. Sgt. Scholwinski, 70, died May 6 after falling ill from COVID-19. He was a 39-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer

10of68Julia Geer, center, shares a laugh with Piper Jones, left, and Addison Kaye as the trio visits using social distancing from the back of their vehicles at The Woodlands High School parking lot, Thursday, May 14, 2020, in The Woodlands.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

11of68The Village at the Heights resident Melbalene Cohen enjoys a one-hour concert performed by musician John Curry for them Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Heights in Houston. The Village at the Heights is a senior living facility.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff photographer

12of68Alexander Montis and Kellyn Evans shop at Vinal Edge Records Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Heights in Houston. The record shop has been limiting four guests inside the shop, using hand sanitizer once they walk in and requiring them to wear a face cover.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff photographer

13of68Paramedics with the Montgomery County Hospital District administer tests for COVID-19 outside of an elderly care facility, Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Focused Care at Beechnut in Houston.Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

14of68Harris County Public Health Department Contact Tracing Team Lead Jochebed Maduagwu, 28, shares her experience as one of the first trained contact tracers to fight coronavirus outbreak in the county Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in Houston. The HCPHD currently has about 50 contact tracers and the agency is aiming to have 200 by the end of the week, and have 300 contact tracers next week.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

15of68Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo watches the newest class of the contact tracers get trained through a glass door Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Harris County Public Health Department in Houston. The HCPHD currently has about 50 contact tracers and the agency is aiming to have 200 by the end of the week, and have 300 contact tracers next week.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff photographer

16of68Jamaurei Jackson dons a mask given to him by rap artist Trae The Truth in the Third Ward on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 in Houston. The rapper spent the day handing out 10,000 masks to people in neighborhoods all around the city. "I am trying to get masks to people who wouldn't normally be able to get one," he said.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

17of68Rap artist Trae The Truth hands out masks to Kayla Stelly, Serenity Johnson and Kassie Kinds in the Third Ward on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 in Houston. The rapper spent the day handing out 10,000 masks to people in neighborhoods all around the city. "I am trying to get masks to people who wouldn't normally be able to get one," he said.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

18of68Jacquelyn Guyton is a single mother on disability who while trying to apply to a city of Houston rental assistance program was left out. The city of Houston on Wednesday exhausted its entire $14.4 million stock of rental assistance funds within 90 minutes. Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in Houston.Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Staff photographer

19of68Nassau Bay, Webster, and Johnson Space Center first responders pose for Bryan Anderson, as he photographed the group shot for his personal project, "First Responders Texas Strong" at Space Center Houston, in Houston, Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Anderson, a local wedding photographer, has been photographing multiple first responder departments around the Houston area, shooting dramatic socially distanced group shots for a project he calls "First Responders Texas Strong". "First responders and medical teams need to be reminded we support them, ad they have each other's back."Photo: Karen Warren, Staff photographer

20of68Bryan Anderson, directs a group shot of the Nassau Bay, Webster, and Johnson Space Center first responders from a bucket truck for his personal project, "First Responders Texas Strong" at Space Center Houston, in Houston, Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Anderson, a local wedding photographer, has been photographing multiple first responder departments around the Houston area, shooting dramatic socially distanced group shots for a project he calls "First Responders Texas Strong". "First responders and medical teams need to be reminded we support them, ad they have each other's back."Photo: Karen Warren, Staff photographer

22of68People use a sign urging people to practice social distancing as a net to play volleyball along Buffalo Bayou near Eleanor Tinsley Park, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, near downtown Houston.Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff photographer

23of68City Council meets for their last in-person session Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at City Hall in Houston. Councilmembers plan to meet over video for future sessions, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff photographer

24of68Michelle Nguyen, a Kroger pharmacist, takes a self testing kit from a driver at the COVID-19 testing site held at Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner, 19110 Unity Park Drive, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Magnolia. This location of the free Kroger Health free COVID-19 drive through testing is open from 9am to 4pm and will continue through Thursday, May 14.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

25of68Debbie Veselka, a Kroger pharmacy practice coordinator, is reflected in window as she takes a self testing kit from a driver at the COVID-19 testing site held at Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner, 19110 Unity Park Drive, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Magnolia. This location of the free Kroger Health free COVID-19 drive through testing is open from 9am to 4pm and will continue through Thursday, May 14.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer

26of68Michelle Nguyen, a Kroger pharmacist, gives a driver a self testing kit at the COVID-19 testing site held at Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner, 19110 Unity Park Drive, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Magnolia. This location of the free Kroger Health free COVID-19 drive through testing is open from 9am to 4pm and will continue through Thursday, May 14.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer

27of68Debbie Veselka, a Kroger pharmacy practice coordinator, gives direction on the self testing procedure at the COVID-19 testing site held at Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner, 19110 Unity Park Drive, Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Magnolia. This location of the free Kroger Health free COVID-19 drive through testing is open from 9am to 4pm and will continue through Thursday, May 14.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer

28of68Anaiya Jackson, a senior at Scarborough High School, wears her graduation gown and holds the cap she dedicated to her grandmother who passed away in January in front of her Houston home on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

29of68YMCA After School Counselor Kamran Assadi plays a small game with Sophia Khademi during class Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the Weekley YMCA in Houston. The YMCA of Greater Houston, which has been operating 19 sites for the children of essential workers, will screen students and staff members' tempertatures three times a day, and will have smaller group size ratios of nine children per one counselor. All counselors are required to wear a face mask, and students are asked to stay six feet apart from each other.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff photographer

30of68Keegan Crosby, 5, washes his hands before leaving his classroom and head home Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the Weekley YMCA in Houston. The YMCA of Greater Houston, which has been operating 19 sites for the children of essential workers, will screen students and staff members' tempertatures three times a day, and will have smaller group size ratios of nine children per one counselor.Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff photographer

31of68Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary Principal Wendy Patterson and assistant principal Angela Randall, of Texas City ISD, work with deputies Cipriano Ruiz and Louis Maldonado to reach out to some of their students on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Texas City.Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

32of68Principal Wendy Patterson and Angela Randall, assistant principal, of Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary in Texas City ISD, talk to the grandmother of one of their students while reaching out to some of their students on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Texas City. Patterson and a small team of educators went out in the community to try and contact some parents and students who have dropped off the radar during the COVID-19 shutdowns and school closures. Deputy Cipriano Ruiz, right, escorted the educators.Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

33of68Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary Principal Wendy Patterson and assistant principal Angela Randall, of Texas City ISD, talk to an older brother of one of their students on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Texas City. Patterson and a small team of educators went out in the community to try and contact some parents and students who have dropped off the radar during the COVID-19 shutdowns and school closures.Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

34of68Emelia Herrera, 30, feeds her one-month-old baby Selina Herrera at her home in Cypress on Saturday, May 9, 2020, after a month of being hospitalized for COVID-19.Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Staff photographer

35of68Houston Police Dept. Color Guard lines up before the casket for Houston police officer Jason Knox arrives to the funeral at the First Baptist Church on Katy Freeway, Sat. May 9, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

36of68Houston Police officers salute as they lined up for the arrival of Houston Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox's body from the funeral home during his funeral at Houston's First Baptist Church, in Houston, Saturday, May 9, 2020.Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

37of68Boy Scout James Custer with Troop 776 helps place small flags at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, Saturday, May 9, 2020, in Conroe. Volunteers planted more than 1,000, red, white, and blue flags representing those who have died from COVID-19 from Texas so far.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

38of68Owner Leon Apostolo carefully shapes a flat top for a customer at Shepard's Barber Shop, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Conroe. Gov. Greg Abbott modified initial executive order to reopen the Texas economy on Tuesday to allow barbershops, nail salons and hairdressers to reopen Friday with some social distancing and hygiene protocols.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

39of68The statue of Charles Bellinger Stewart, designer of the Texas flag, is seen with a facemask at Cedar Brake Park, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Montgomery.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

40of68Susan Russell waves goodbye to her mother after wishing her a happy Mother's Day as she speaks with her on a video call Friday, May 8, 2020, in Houston. Russell has been trying to find ways to stay connected with her mom since coronavirus precautions started preventing her from visiting her in person at the Houston memory care facility where she lives.Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff photographer

41of68The procession of law enforcement vehicles escort the hearse carrying Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski Friday, May 8, 2020, as it leaves Memorial Hermann hospital in The Woodlands, TX en route back to Houston. Scholwinski, age 70, died of COVID-19 after a weeks long battle with the virus at the hospital.Photo: Michael Wyke, Contributor

42of68Harris County. deputies salute as funeral home staff load the casket of Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Raymond Scholwinski into a hearse to be taken back to Houston, May 8, 2020, outside of Memorial Hermann hospital in The Woodlands, TX. Scholwinski, age 70, died of COVID-19 after a weeks long battle with the virus at the hospital.Photo: Michael Wyke, Contributor

43of68Carol Shirley talks with her grandson, Mitchell Brogan, before a parade at Spring Creek Village Assisted Living & Memory Care, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Spring.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

45of68Monica Hughes, left, holds a sign for seniors as the graduating class at Lake Creek High School picked up graduating appeal and yard signs, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Montgomery.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

46of68Noah Cantu shares a laugh with Lake Creek High School Principal Phil Eaton as seniors at Lake Creek High School picked up graduation appeal and yard signs, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Montgomery. Eaton was released from the hospital Tuesday after battling COVID-19 for 51 days.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

47of68Karli Beallew cries as she is handed her graduation robes as seniors at Lake Creek High School picked up graduation appeal and yard signs, Friday, May 8, 2020, in Montgomery.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

48of68Allan Anderson ties a blue ribbon around one of the trees that surround Memorial City Mall on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Houston. Memorial City will Shine Blue, with blue ribbons and the buildings, bridges and garages lit in blue, in recognition of National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week and to honor those healthcare heroes fighting on the frontline against COVID-19.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

49of68Mike Cummings ties a blue ribbon around one of the trees that surround Memorial City Mall on Friday, May 8, 2020 in Houston. Memorial City will Shine Blue, with blue ribbons and the buildings, bridges and garages lit in blue, in recognition of National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week and to honor those healthcare heroes fighting on the frontline against COVID-19.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

50of68Tammy Young takes the temperature of stylist Brittany Purr before she starts her shift at Salon on Kirby in Houston on Thursday, May 7, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer

51of68Alden Clark, owner of Salon on Kirby works on Pat Gilmore-Maass' hair at the salon in Houston on Friday, May 8, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer

52of68Hong Le works on Antajea Hood's nails at Premier Nail Salon in Missouri City on Friday, May 8, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer

53of68Customers get their nails done at Premier Nail Salon in Missouri City on Friday, May 8, 2020.Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer

54of68Bartender Sarah Miller irons masks on the bar inside of the Maple Leaf Pub, in Houston, Thursday, May 7, 2020. Courtney and Micahl Wyckoff started making masks out of their home after both finding themselves out of work because of coronavirus. Courtney, a seamstress, used leftover fabric she had lying around the house to start making the mask. They also started hiring their other out of work friends to help them. Their business is Grab Bag Masks.com.Photo: Karen Warren, Staff photographer

55of68Teacher Cynthia Cornish wears "Grad" glasses while cheering as YES Prep: Public Schools White Oak campus graduating seniors drive by and pick up their caps and gowns in a parade of cars Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Houston. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, caps and gowns were required to be picked up in drive-by fashion. These seniors are the first graduates from the White Oak campus.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

56of68Hector Gomez, left, catches a ride from geography teacher Ronald Castro as YES Prep: Public Schools White Oak graduating seniors drive by and pick up their caps and gowns in front of the school on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Houston. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, caps and gowns were required to be picked up in drive-by fashion. These seniors are the first graduates from the White Oak campus.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

57of68Cindy Hutchinson (with hat) and Minda Kilpatrick measure the distance between their salon chairs as they readied their salon, Cin & Min Studios inside of Sola Salon Studio in the Heights, in Houston, Thursday, May 7, 2020. Salons are set to open across the state on Friday.Photo: Karen Warren, Staff photographer

58of68Art Car Museum preparator John Linden wears gloves to work on Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Houston at the museum now that it has been reopened to the public after many weeks closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Staff photographer

59of68Laure Harrell worships during a National Day of Prayer, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Willis.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

60of68American Legion honor guard members Jack Clemons, left, and Ralph Massengill salute the American flag while wearing facemasks during a National Day of Prayer, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Willis.Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer

61of68"I'd rather people be safe. It's not about the money," said Joseph Hayes (left), manager of Phayes Two Barber Shop on W. Bellfort at S. Gessner, as he pulls everything out of the shop to continue a deep clean before their planned reopening Friday morning, while working on the shop on Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Houston. Hayes and manager Quincy Floyd (right) have been cleaning the shop for a week after learning that they would be able to reopen. Patrons will be expected to wear a mask, they will only take appointments, chairs will be at least six feet apart and no more than 10 people will be allowed inside at any time.Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff photographer

63of68Medical workers wanted to send a message to the United States Navy's Blue Angels after they performed a flyover the Medical Center Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Houston. The Blue Angels flew over the area in tribute to frontline workers.Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

64of68Harris County Jail clinic medical staff Shannon Kloeber, Cathy Rossi, and Beverly Howard wave at the United States Navy's Blue Angels from the rooftop of the county jail as they fly by on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Houston.Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Staff photographer

65of68The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly past downtown as seen from over the Buffalo Bayou, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Houston.Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff photographer

66of68Medical workers react as the United States Navy's Blue Angels performed a flyover on the old Memorial Hermann helipad Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Houston. The Blue Angels flew over the area in tribute to frontline workers.Photo: Steve Gonzales, Staff photographer

67of68Ashley Armendariz, left, Amanda Trimble, center, and Noelia Flores, right, along with other staff members of UT Physicians Clinics watch the United States Navy Blue Angels flyover from the parking garage roof during a tribute to healthcare workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in Houston.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff photographer

68of68Medical school graduates Dr. Jayme Castillo, left, and Dr. Ashley Mack jump from the Alkek Fountain for a photo as they celebrate after picking up their graduation gowns outside Baylor College of Medicine on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 in Houston. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the medical school will holds a live virtual graduation on May 21, 2020.Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff photographer

Signs welcomed Landry’s employees outside the former Willie G’s restaurant on Post Oak Boulevard Wednesday around noon, directing them to stand six-feet apart when entering the building to pick up meals the company has been providing to current and furloughed workers and their families. Retractable dividers were set up under a tent in case a line formed. Employees trickled in and left with bags of take-out boxes filled with cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs and pasta Alfredo with chicken or shrimp.

It wasn’t clear when Tilman Fertitta, billionaire owner of the Houston-based restaurant, casino, hospitality and entertainment empire, made the decision to start offering meals, but one employee, a furloughed forklift operator at a Landry’s warehouse near the 610 Loop, said he’d been coming every day since Saturday.

Employees picking up meals declined to comment or give their names and those running the operation directed inquiries to the company’s public relations firm.

Fertitta, who declined recent interview requests, has furloughed approximately 40,000 employees since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, roughly two-thirds of his workforce. In the Houston and Galveston areas, the company employs about 10,000 people, though it wasn’t immediately known how many have lost their jobs.

Fertitta’s business is getting hit on every front. His restaurants, including Saltgrass Steak House, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Rainforest Cafe, Morton’s and Mastro’s, have had to close their dining rooms. His five Golden Nugget casinos have temporarily shut down, and his hotels, including the new $400 million Post Oak Hotel at Uptown next to his corporate headquarters and luxury car dealership, have suffered as business and leisure travel has effectively ground to a halt.

Also on hold is the NBA season. Fertitta owns the Houston Rockets, paid a record $2.2 billion for the team in 2017.

According to Bloomberg, the closures resulting from the pandemic have cost Fertitta about a third of his net worth, now at $3.2 billion, and has placed nearly $5 billion of debt at high risk. Bloomberg first reported the 40,000 temporary layoffs.

Matt Sodl, president and managing director of Southern California investment bank Innovation Capital, which represents gaming and retail clients, said he expected Fertitta to make it through this crisis.

“He’s got institutional investor support in both the debt and equity markets,” Sodl said in a recent interview. “I’m a believer he’ll come out of it and be on the hunt looking for opportunities because there’s going to be many of them.”

Nancy Sarnoff covers commercial and residential real estate for the Houston Chronicle and the paper’s two websites: Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. She also hosts Looped In, a weekly real estate podcast about the city’s most compelling people and places. Nancy is a native of Chicago but has spent most of her life in Texas.